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Great Superheroes Never Die

...at least, not in our hearts. And most of them come back to life later anyway!

Superhero deaths have become promotional events these days, almost to the point of a rite of passage. Sure, a what-if scenario such as Deadpool assassinating everyone in the Marvel universe can be played for laughs, but the vast majority of stories of fallen heroes include strong themes of sacrifice, teamwork, and grief. A hero's everyday adventures take on more noble meaning when we know they are willing to put their life on the line to save others. Watching fictional icons fall in the line of duty can help us deal with more personal forms of loss. Below are some of the most memorable deaths in comics.

Amazon Says: What if everything you thought was funny about Deadpool was actually just disturbing? What if he decided to kill everyone and everything that makes up the Marvel Universe? Wha more...

Amazon Says: What if everything you thought was funny about Deadpool was actually just disturbing? What if he decided to kill everyone and everything that makes up the Marvel Universe? What if he actually pulled it off? Would that be FUN for you? The Merc with a Mouth takes a turn for the twisted in a horror comic like no other! Collecting DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1-4. less...

Amazon Says: Leaping from the final pages of Civil War, this is the biggest Cap story that Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting have yet to tell - guaranteed to stun readers and send shockwaves th more...

Amazon Says: Leaping from the final pages of Civil War, this is the biggest Cap story that Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting have yet to tell - guaranteed to stun readers and send shockwaves through the entire Marvel Universe! As repercussions ripple outward, the Winter Soldier finally chooses a side - his own. But what are the Red Skull and his minions up to behind the scenes? Collects Captain America #25-30. less...

Amazon Says: Gotham City is plagued with crime and corruption in places high and low, but one man has taken a stand against evil of all forms: the dark avenger known as Batman. But now the more...

Amazon Says: Gotham City is plagued with crime and corruption in places high and low, but one man has taken a stand against evil of all forms: the dark avenger known as Batman. But now the Dark Knight is dead; apparently fallen at the hands of dying god Darkseid. "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader" is a captivating and mysterious tale, the likes of which Batman and friends have never experienced before. Delving into the realms of life, death and the afterlife, no stone is left unturned in this exploration of every facet and era of Bruce Wayne's life. Neil Gaiman, the multiple award-winning author of "Sandman" and "Coraline", is joined by legendary artist Andy Kubert ("Batman and Son") for the ultimate Batman story! less...

Amazon Says: The wait is over! Prepare yourself for the most shocking Spider-Man story you will ever read! Young Peter Parker has led a heroic life, and tried to live by the simple and pow more...

Amazon Says: The wait is over! Prepare yourself for the most shocking Spider-Man story you will ever read! Young Peter Parker has led a heroic life, and tried to live by the simple and powerful philosophy that with great power comes great responsibility - but will that philosophy be enough to save him from the horror that awaits him here? This is easily the most important story in ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN history - and maybe the most important story in the Ultimate Universe. Who better to illustrate it than Ultimate Spider-Man legend Mark Bagley, making his mighty Marvel return! It's Bendis and Bagley, together again - and just in time! Collecting ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #156-160. less...

Amazon Says: Batman readers were allowed to vote on the outcome of the story and they decided that Robin should die! As the second person to assume the role of Batman's sidekick, Jason Tod more...

Amazon Says: Batman readers were allowed to vote on the outcome of the story and they decided that Robin should die! As the second person to assume the role of Batman's sidekick, Jason Todd had a completely different personality than the original Robin. Rash and prone to ignore Batman's instructions, Jason was always quick to act without regard to consequences. In this fatal instance, Robin ignores his mentor's warnings when he attempts to take on the Joker by himself and pays the ultimate price. Driven by anger with Superman by his side, Batman seeks his vengeance as he looks to end the Joker's threat forever. less...

Amazon Says: In this time of global anxiety, economic turmoil and mass hysteria, Sin, the new Red Skull, has made an awesome discovery - a revelation that will divide father and son, turn more...

Amazon Says: In this time of global anxiety, economic turmoil and mass hysteria, Sin, the new Red Skull, has made an awesome discovery - a revelation that will divide father and son, turn friend against friend and herald the rise of Fear personified. Who is the Serpent? As Odin and the Asgardians leave the Earth to fend for itself, the Avengers and the world's remaining heroes battle the unstoppable tide of terror! And then - the Serpent's Hammers fall! Who shall rise up and join the Serpent as the Worthy, living avatars of his evil? And how can the Avengers respond...to fear itself? Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen bring fans the biggest Marvel event since CIVIL WAR! Collecting FEAR ITSELF: BOOK OF THE SKULL and FEAR ITSELF #1-7. less...

Amazon Says: Written by Marv Wolfman; Art by George Perez, Dick Giordano, Jerry Ordway and Mike DeCarlo; Cover by Perez Worlds lived. Worlds died. And the DC Universe was never the same! I more...

Amazon Says: Written by Marv Wolfman; Art by George Perez, Dick Giordano, Jerry Ordway and Mike DeCarlo; Cover by Perez Worlds lived. Worlds died. And the DC Universe was never the same! In 1985, DC Comics dramatically altered comics' original universe with CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, a 12-issue series that rocked the comics community, tragically dooming some of DC's most beloved characters and drastically altering others. Written by Marv Wolfman and pencilled by George Perez, with inks by Dick Giordano, Jerry Ordway and Mike DeCarlo, CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS finds the alternate worlds that once were a hallmark of the DC Universe under siege by a mysterious force powerful enough to wipe out the lives of billions. Now this landmark series gets the star treatment in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS: THE ABSOLUTE EDITION - an oversized slipcased set containing two hardcover books. The 368-page Book One includes the full 12-issue maxiseries (which was painstakingly restored and meticulously recolored in 1998), with an introduction by Marv Wolfman, afterword by Dick Giordano, and creator bios. George Perez provides all-new art for the dustjacket. (Please note that the Monitor Tapes section from issue #10 will be shot from the original art for this issue and represented in its original form.) The 96-page Book Two contains a compendium featuring the full behind-the-scenes story on the years-long making of the maxiseries complete with memos, notes, original plots and commentary from Marv Wolfman and Jerry Ordway; the Official Index to Crisis and Official Index to Crisis Crossovers being reprinted for the very first time, completely updated; a look into post-Crisis events and aftermath stories, how the Superboy/Legion conundrum was solved, and a look at the 20th anniversary of this seminal event. George Perez provides all-new art for the dustjacket. less...

Amazon Says: Gathered together by Professor Charles Xavier to protect a world that fears and hates them, the X-Men had fought many battles, been on adventures that spanned galaxies, grappl more...

Amazon Says: Gathered together by Professor Charles Xavier to protect a world that fears and hates them, the X-Men had fought many battles, been on adventures that spanned galaxies, grappled enemies of limitless might, but none of this could prepare them for the most shocking struggle they would ever face. One of their own members, Jean Grey, has gained power beyond all comprehension, and that power has corrupted her absolutely! Now they must decide if the life of the woman they cherish is worth the existence of the entire universe! Collects X-Men #129-137. less...